Electrical Prob no one can figure out
#1
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Electrical Prob no one can figure out
I have fog lights. They are wired directly from the battery to a toggle switch. They are not tied into the headlights or ignition in any fashion. They are grounded to the bumper where they mount. Anytime I turn them on my gas gauge goes down by about a quarter of a tank. If I turn them off it goes back up. I have a new alternator and it did it with th old one too. WTF?
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I have some Fog lights that I wired with a wiring kit from Autozone and it was really easy, I would probaly suggest that. I know a little bit about wiring so with that little knowledge i would say it's probably not a ground unless the gas gauge is grounded to the bumper which i really doubt, but thats just my two cents.
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Auxiliary lights should be wired using a relay. The inside switch should activate the relay to supply power to the lights. Using the switch for activating the lights directly can cause various problems. The lights should be grounded near or to the battery ground.
#5
+1, w/o a relay its also a potential fire hazzard!
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IF the wire and switch are a high enough rating AND you do have a proper size fuse (as close to the battery as possable) you don't NEED to use a relay. A relay will allow you to run a lower amperage thru a thinner wire and lower amp switch. Even with a relay you MUST fuse it.
Run a ground wire to the body. The bumper mountings are pre-painted and do not allow for a good ground.
Run a ground wire to the body. The bumper mountings are pre-painted and do not allow for a good ground.
#12
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Here's some more on relays http://www.bcae1.com/relays.htm
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where is the factory grounds at? i want to check them and maybe scuff them up a bit. Why wouldn't the bumper be a good ground? it is chrome and goes directly to the frame.
#15
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I have fog lights. They are wired directly from the battery to a toggle switch. They are not tied into the headlights or ignition in any fashion. They are grounded to the bumper where they mount. Anytime I turn them on my gas gauge goes down by about a quarter of a tank. If I turn them off it goes back up. I have a new alternator and it did it with th old one too. WTF?
#16
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You're probably getting a ground thru the fuel lines and sending some voltage to the fuel sending unit.
Run a ground wire to a bolt on the body and you should be good.
#18
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Between the nice highly conductive chrome bumper and the frame are a couple of painted/coated mounts. Also I believe that the frame on 3rd gens don't have a direct ground wire (battery to body and body to engine only)
You're probably getting a ground thru the fuel lines and sending some voltage to the fuel sending unit.
Run a ground wire to a bolt on the body and you should be good.
You're probably getting a ground thru the fuel lines and sending some voltage to the fuel sending unit.
Run a ground wire to a bolt on the body and you should be good.